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Post by angelfish on Mar 20, 2011 11:54:16 GMT -5
My youngest, Pita, isn't acting completely normally. A few weeks ago, she was sleeping more than usual and had a soft cough for a couple of days. She's been eating more or less normally, just less so. Her poop was normal, just smaller. My first thought was a blockage so I gave her baby squash and such.
The cough subsided and she's no longer sleeping as much as she was but I can't say her appetite is back.
Her activity level is normal and she spends lots of time bouncing and wrestling with the others. In fact, we usually have to put her back in the cage because she'll be out exploring for hours after everyone else has gone to bed.
Except for the small poop and the reduced appetite, everything is about her is normal so I'm not sure what to make of it. I was sick for several weeks and only got better about a week or so ago. She didn't start the coughing thing until a week or so after I was. The doctor thinks I may have had a mild flu/pneumonia going on and, even though I was careful not to handle them much and wash my hands, she may still have gotten the bug from me.
Any ideas? She's not really acting like it's a blockage so I'm not really sure what I should do.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 12:15:01 GMT -5
How old is she? Their appetites will definitely decrease now that it's spring.
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Post by angelfish on Mar 20, 2011 12:55:33 GMT -5
She's about 6-7 months old.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 13:01:23 GMT -5
And how long has she been on raw?
I know that for the first 3-6 months on raw, my girls ate like there was no tomorrow. Finally it slowed down a bit. They have also started eating a lot less now that spring is here.
I would give her a bit of lax and some pumpkin. It is shedding season, too, so they get get hairballs. As long as she is still pooping/peeing/eating/drinking, I wouldn't be too concerned.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Mar 20, 2011 14:06:39 GMT -5
my ferret is 7 months (going on 8 months). i started him on commercial raw at 2 months (as soon as i we brought him home). at first, he ate like a monster HUGE appetite. it was almost like he was starved to death . but i know he wasn't starved because he was quite healthy looking when i brought him home.
now he is eating about 1/2 as much as he used to. yet he's still a porker so i don't know what that is all about. he is not really FAT though, its more like he's very THICK. more muscular. his back and muscles are filling in nicely. his new nickname is Meathead. lol
anyway, i would not be alarmed. i also have days where i see small poops. less eating, etc. i give pumpkin and check all toys as a precaution but as long as she is eating and not dropping too much weight. i would not worry. i would make sure that her "pipes are clean" and give pumpkin a few times a week. ferrets always have a time of the year (especially when they are young) that they blow their coats and just look scrawny, skinny and their coat is really ugly and dry, brittle.
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Post by angelfish on Mar 20, 2011 14:15:57 GMT -5
She hasn't lost any weight. I checked everyone's weight this morning and she's the same was a month ago at the vet's. I'll just keep an eye on her and make sure everything stays kosher.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Mar 20, 2011 14:32:37 GMT -5
feeding raw is so weird. when you have kibble fed ferrets, they eat alot every day and there is always alot of poop. with raw, they have some days where they barely eat anything. then the next day they eat alot. some days they will have small little poops (and very few poops) and then other days, HUGE poops and ALOT of them. it really takes some getting used to. on those small poop/less food days, i used to freak out and give him more pumpkin because i thought he was having a blockage or something.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 14:38:59 GMT -5
I know the feeling. I am a bit paranoid now that it's shedding season and I feed a good spoon full of pumpkin once a day for my three. Olive oil and fish oil are also good to add to the daily diet for hairballs.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 20, 2011 15:38:14 GMT -5
As long as she's acting normal, and the cough doesn't increase with activity, I'd not worry overly much. Just keep a close eye on her. The cough *could* be fur caught in her throat as well.
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Post by angelfish on Mar 22, 2011 11:34:34 GMT -5
So as it turns out, Pita didn't have an obstruction, but I did find a small confetti star in the litter box this morning! I had a fabric over the cage with stars on it. They're glued on securely and very tiny but apparently she's been chewing on the fabric without my realizing and chewed off a star. Needless to say, that fabric is now gone.  Thank goodness it didn't cause bigger problems. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 12:48:45 GMT -5
What a lucky girl! I'm so glad she was able to pass it! Give her a hug for me  |
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Post by Sherry on Mar 22, 2011 15:27:29 GMT -5
Ferrets! glad she's doing better now ;D |
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Thank goodness it didn't cause bigger problems.